Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes: a frame that includes a plurality of protrusions; a display panel disposed on the frame that includes a planar portion and a curved portion; a pressure sensing unit disposed between the frame and the display panel that overlaps the curved portion and that includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes disposed in a different layer; and a pressure sensing drive unit connected to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. Any one of the plurality of second electrodes at least partially overlaps any one of the plurality of first electrodes. At least one of the plurality of protrusions overlaps a region where one of the plurality of first electrodes and one of the plurality of second electrodes overlap each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/143,958, filed on Sep. 27, 2018 in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from, and thebenefit of, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0025616, filed on Mar.5, 2018 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the contentsof both of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

1. Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display device,and more specifically to a display device that includes a pressuresensing unit.

2. Discussion of Related Art

With the development of the information society, the demand for displaydevices configured to display images in various forms has increased. Forexample, various types of display devices are being utilized, such asliquid crystal display devices, plasma display devices, and organiclight emitting display devices.

Of these display devices, mobile display devices, such as smartphones,tablets, etc., and mid- and large-sized display devices, such as smarttelevisions, offer touch-type input processing for user convenience.

Display devices capable of touch-type input processing are beingdeveloped to provide more functions, and user demands are also becomingmore diverse. For example, research is being conducted to replacephysical buttons with pressure sensors.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display devicewith improved pressure sensing sensitivity.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda display device, including: a frame that includes a plurality ofprotrusions; a display panel disposed on the frame and that includes aplanar portion and a curved portion disposed along at least one end ofthe planar portion; a pressure sensing unit disposed between the frameand the display panel that overlaps the curved portion and that includesa plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodesdisposed in a different layer from the first electrodes; and a pressuresensing drive unit connected to the plurality of first electrodes andthe plurality of second electrodes. Any one of the plurality of secondelectrodes at least partially overlap any one of the plurality of firstelectrodes, and at least one of the plurality of protrusions overlaps aregion where one of the plurality of first electrodes and one of theplurality of second electrodes overlap each other.

Each of the plurality of protrusions may have an area less than orsubstantially equal to that of the region where the one of the pluralityof first electrodes and the one of the plurality of second electrodesoverlap each other.

The top surface of each of the plurality of protrusions may have acurvature radius less than or substantially equal to that of thepressure sensing unit.

The frame may include a base, a support disposed on the base, and aspacer that protrudes from the support at one end of the support; andthe plurality of protrusions may protrude from the support and have aheight less than a height of the spacer.

The top surface of the support may have a curvature substantiallyidentical to that of the curved portion of the display panel.

The plurality of first electrodes may extend in a first direction, andthe plurality of second electrodes may extend in a second direction thatintersects the first direction.

Each of the plurality of protrusions may extend in the first direction,and may have a width less than or substantially equal to a width of anyone of the plurality of first electrodes.

Each of the plurality of protrusions may extend in a second direction,and may have a width less than or substantially equal to a width of anyone of the plurality of second electrodes.

The display device may further include a plurality of variable resistormembers. Each of the variable resistor members may be disposed betweenone of the plurality of first electrodes and one of the plurality ofsecond electrodes.

The region where the one of the plurality of first electrodes and theone of the plurality of second electrodes may overlap each otheroverlaps at least two of the plurality of protrusions.

Each of the plurality of protrusions may have one of asemicircular-sectional shape, a polygonal column shape, a cylindricalcolumn shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, or a cone shape.

The display panel may include a plurality of pixels; and the regionwhere the one of the plurality of first electrodes and the one of theplurality of second electrodes overlap each other may have an areagreater than that of any one of the plurality of protrusions.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a display device, including: a frame that includes a base, asupport disposed on the base, and a plurality of protrusions thatprotrude from the support; a display panel disposed on the frame andthat includes a planar portion and a curved portion disposed along atleast one end of the planar portion; and a pressure sensing unitdisposed between the frame and the display panel and that includes aplurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodesdisposed in a different layer from the first electrodes. Any one of theplurality of second electrodes at least partially overlaps any one ofthe plurality of first electrodes, and at least one of the plurality ofprotrusions overlaps a region where one of the plurality of firstelectrodes and one of the plurality of second electrodes overlap eachother.

The display device may further include a pressure sensing drive unitconnected to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality ofsecond electrodes.

The top surface of the support may have a shape substantially identicalto that of the display panel.

The base may come into contact with at least one side surface of thedisplay panel and the pressure sensing unit.

The support may overlap both the planar portion and the curved portion.

The display device may further include a window disposed on the displaypanel.

The display device may further include a touch sensing unit disposedbetween the window and the display panel.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a display device, including: a frame that includes a pluralityof protrusions; a display panel disposed on the frame and that includesa planar portion and a curved portion disposed along at least one end ofthe planar portion; a pressure sensing unit disposed between the frameand the display panel and that includes a plurality of first electrodesthat extend in a first direction, a plurality of second electrodes thatextend in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and aplurality of variable resistor members; and a pressure sensing driveunit connected to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality ofsecond electrodes. The pressure sensing unit includes a plurality ofunit pressure sensors, where each of the plurality of unit pressuresensors is connected to one of the plurality of first electrodes, one ofthe plurality of second electrodes that overlap the one of the pluralityof first electrodes, and a variable resistor member disposed between theone of the plurality of first electrodes and the one of the plurality ofsecond electrodes, and at least one of the plurality of protrusionsoverlaps one of the unit pressure sensors.

Each of the plurality of protrusions may have an area less than orsubstantially equal to an area of the unit pressure sensor.

The unit pressure sensor may overlap at least two of the plurality ofprotrusions.

The pressure sensing unit may be curved and the top surface of each ofthe plurality of protrusions may have a curvature radius less than orsubstantially equal to a curvature radius of the pressure sensing unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a planar figure of a pressure sensing unit according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is another sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion B of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are enlarged views of portion C of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a protrusion and a pressure sensingunit according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of protrusions and a pressuresensing unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of protrusions of a pressure sensing unitaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of a pressure sensing unitaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a frame according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of a pressure sensing unitaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

Although the present disclosure may be subjected to variousmodifications and may be practiced in various forms, only specificexemplary embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings, and thefollowing description will be given with a focus on the exemplaryembodiments. However, the scope of exemplary embodiments is not limitedto the specific exemplary embodiments, and all modifications,equivalents or substitutions included in the technical spirit and rangeof exemplary embodiments should be construed as falling within the scopeof embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the specification, when any portion is described as being“connected” to another portion, this includes both a case where theformer portion is “directly connected” to the latter portion and a casewhere the former portion is “electrically connected” to the latterportion through a third portion.

Throughout the specification, the same reference symbols may be assignedto the same or similar components.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an explodedsectional view of a display device according to a present exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a frame according to a presentexemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is a planar figure of a pressure sensingunit according to a present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlargedview of portion A of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line14′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is another sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device according to a presentexemplary embodiment includes a frame 100, pressure sensing units 200, adisplay panel 300, a touch sensing unit 400, and a window 500.

The frame 100 according to a present exemplary embodiment includes abase portion 110 and protrusion portions 120.

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 100 overlaps planar portion 301 and curvedportions 302 of the display panel 300. Furthermore, although not shownin the drawings, the frame 100 has openings at locations which overlapthe planar portions 301 of the display panel 300.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the base portion 110 is disposedunder the display panel 300 on the front side of the display device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion portions 120protrude from the base portion 110 at locations that correspond to thecurved portions 302 of the display panel 300. In other words, theprotrusion portions 120 overlap the curved portions 302 of the displaypanel 300 and have a curvature substantially identical to that of thecurved portions 302 of the display panel 300. The protrusion portions120 support the display panel 300, the touch sensing unit 400, and thewindow 500. Each of the protrusion portions 120 include a support 121, aplurality of protrusions 122 that protrude from the support 121, and aspacer 123.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, theplurality of protrusions 122 are arranged in a matrix form. For example,the plurality of protrusions 122 have the form of islands that arespaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals. The protrusions122 support the pressure sensing units 200, the display panel 300, thetouch sensing unit 400, and the window 500. In this case, theprotrusions 122 are lower than the spacers 123 to be described below.The spacer 123 protrudes from a corresponding support 121, and isdisposed on one end of the support 121. The spacers 123 support thedisplay panel 300, the touch sensing unit 400, and the window 500.Furthermore, the spacers 123 create spaces where the pressure sensingunits 200 can be disposed, along with the ends of the base portion 110.The spacers 123 support the display panel 300, the touch sensing part400 and the window 500 but not the pressure sensing units 200 since thepressure sensing units 200 are not disposed on the spacers 123, thespacers 123 are higher than the protrusions 122.

The pressure sensing units 200 according to a present exemplaryembodiment are disposed at locations that correspond to the curvedportions 302 of the display panel 300. In other words, the pressuresensing units 200 overlap the curved portions 302 of the display panel300 and have a curvature substantially identical to that of the curvedportions 302 of the display panel 300.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, according to an exemplary embodiment, each ofthe pressure sensing units 200 include a plurality of first electrodes211, a plurality of second electrodes 212, and variable resistor members220 disposed between the plurality of first electrodes 211 and theplurality of second electrodes 212.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the pressure sensing units200 includes a plurality of unit pressure sensors 230. In this case,each of the unit pressure sensors 230 corresponds to a single firstelectrode 211, a single second electrode 212 that overlaps the singlefirst electrode 211, and a variable resistor member 220 disposed betweenthe single first electrode 211 and the single second electrode 212.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a single unit pressure sensor 230is larger than or substantially the same size as a single pixel PX to bedescribed below. However, the size of the single unit pressure sensor230 is not limited thereto, and the single unit pressure sensor 230 maybe smaller than the single pixel PX.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first electrode 211 includes aconductive material. The conductive material includes a metal or analloy thereof. The metal may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum(Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni),neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), etc. Furthermore, the firstelectrode 211 includes a transparent conductive material. Thetransparent conductive material may include silver nanowires (AgNWs),indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), antimony zinc oxide(AZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO₂),carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment, the pluralityof first electrodes 211 form stripes that extend in a first directionD1. However, the shape of the plurality of first electrodes 211 is notlimited thereto, and the plurality of first electrodes 211 may have anyof various shapes. In this case, the plurality of first electrodes 211are spaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals in a seconddirection D2 that crosses the first direction. However, the interval ofthe plurality of first electrodes 211 is not limited thereto, and theplurality of first electrodes 211 may be spaced apart from each other atdifferent intervals.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second electrodes 212 arespaced apart from the first electrodes 211 and include a conductivematerial. The second electrodes 212 and the first electrodes 211 mayinclude the same material, or may include different materials.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality ofsecond electrodes 212 form stripes that extend in the second directionD2. However, the shape of the second electrodes 212 is not limitedthereto, and the plurality of second electrodes 212 may have any ofvarious shapes. In this case, the plurality of second electrodes 212 arespaced apart from each other by predetermined intervals in the firstdirection. However, the interval of the plurality of second electrodes212 is not limited thereto, and the plurality of second electrodes 212may be spaced apart from each other at different intervals.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the variable resistormembers 220 are disposed between a corresponding first electrode 211 anda corresponding second electrode 212 in a region where the firstelectrode 211 and the second electrode 212 overlap each other.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the variable resistor member 220includes a material whose electrical characteristics vary based on theextent of a deformation. In particular, the variable resistor member 220includes a material whose resistance R1 between the first electrode 211and the second electrode 212 varies according to an externally appliedpressure. When no pressure is applied to a corresponding unit pressuresensor 230, the first electrode 211 and the second electrode 212 arespaced apart from each other by a first distance with the variableresistor member 220 interposed therebetween, and the variable resistormember 220 has first resistance R1. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when apressure F is applied to the unit pressure sensor 230 by a user's touch,etc., the distance between the first electrode 211 and the secondelectrode 212 varies, and the shape of the variable resistor member 220changes. In other words, the resistance of the variable resistor member220 changes from the first resistance R1 to a second resistance R2. Inother words, as force applied to the variable resistor member 220increases, the resistance of the variable resistor member 220 decreases(R1>R2). Conversely, as force applied to the variable resistor member220 decreases, the resistance of the variable resistor member 220increases. Accordingly, the strength of the pressure can be detected bydetecting the change in resistance.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the variable resistor member 220includes a material whose resistance varies according to pressure. Morespecifically, the variable resistor member 220 includes a forcesensitive material or a material referred to as a “force sensitiveresistor.” For example, the variable resistor member 220 includes apiezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT),polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), carbon powder, quantum tunnelingcomposite (QTC), silicone, carbon nanotubes, or graphene. Furthermore,the variable resistor member 220 includes nanoparticles. Thenanoparticles may be provided as nanotubes, nanocolumns, nanorods,nanopores, nanowires, etc. The nanoparticles include particles of anyone of carbon, graphite, a metalloid, a metal, a conductive oxide of ametalloid and a metal, and conductive nitrides of a metalloid and ametal, or include particles having a core shell structure in whichinsulating beads are coated with the particles, or combination thereof.The metalloid may be antimony (Sb), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), or analloy thereof. The metal may be zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), scandium (Sc),chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni),copper (Cu), indium (In), tin (Sn), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), niobium(Nb), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd),gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), strontium (Sr), tungsten (W),cadmium (Cd), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), or an alloy thereof. Theconductive oxide may be indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO),aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), gallium indium zinc oxide (GIZO), zincoxide (ZnO), or a mixture thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, according to an exemplary embodiment, each ofthe unit pressure sensors 230 is a region where a corresponding firstelectrode 211, a corresponding second electrode 212, and a correspondingvariable resistor member 220 overlap one another, and the region has arectangular planar shape. However, the shape of the unit pressuresensors 230 is not limited thereto, and the unit pressure sensor 230 mayhave any of various shapes to improve sensitivity.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, according to an exemplary embodiment, thepressure sensing units 200 are connected to a pressure sensing driveunit. The pressure sensing drive unit receives a resistance signal fromthe pressure sensing units 200, and calculates the magnitude andlocation of the pressure applied to the display device.

Since the pressure sensing units 200 according to a present exemplaryembodiment detect not only the location of pressure applied to thedisplay device but also the magnitude of the pressure, a display deviceaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure can perform differentoperations, depending on the magnitude of pressure, and, thus, canprovide a greater variety of user interfaces/user experiences (UIs/UXs)to a user.

The display panel 300 according to a present exemplary embodiment may bea flexible display panel. Alternatively, the display panel 300 accordingto a present exemplary embodiment may be a bent display panel withcurved edges. The display panel 300 may be formed to have curved edges,or may be fabricated to be flat and then have its edges curved bycoupling with the window 500 or frame 100.

In the following, for ease of description, the central flat portion ofthe display panel 300 is referred to as the “planar portion 301”, andcurved portions along the edges of the planar portion 301 are referredto as the “curved portions 302”. Although the display panel 300according to a present exemplary embodiment has been illustrated in thestate in which the curved portions 302 are formed along both edges ofthe planar portion 301, the disposition of the curved portions 302 isnot limited thereto, and a curved portion 302 may be formed along asingle edge of the planar portion 301. The planar portion 301 and thecurved portions 302 are conceptually divided for ease of description,and can actually be a single display region.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 300 includes aplurality of pixels PX that can display an image. The plurality ofpixels PX are arranged on the planar portion 301 and curved portions 302of the display panel 300, and can display an image.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 300 includes aflexible film, such as a plastic film, and is implemented by arrangingorganic LEDs and pixel circuits on the flexible film.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensing unit 400 isdisposed on the display panel 300 and can detect a touch operation of auser. Although the touch sensing unit 400 according to a presentexemplary embodiment has been illustrated as a separate component thatis disposed between the display panel 300 and the window 500, theconfiguration of the touch sensing unit 400 is not limited thereto, andthe touch sensing unit 400 can be implemented directly inside andintegrated with the display panel 300.

The touch sensing unit 400 may be any one of a capacitance touch sensor,a pressure touch sensor, an optical touch sensor, or an ultrasonic touchsensor.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the window 500 is disposed on thetouch sensing unit 400. The window 500 includes a transparent softmaterial that protects the display panel 300 from external shocks whiletransmitting an image from the display panel 300 therethrough.Furthermore, the window 500 includes a flexible film material, such as aplastic film. More specifically, the window 500 is a reinforced coatingfilm on which a tempered glass or reinforced coating layer is disposed.For example, the window 500 is a transparent film that includes any oneof polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polycarbonate (PC), or polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). The window 500 isnot limited thereto, and may be a synthetic resin material film on whicha reinforced coating can be formed. Furthermore, the reinforced coatinglayer can be formed by applying resin, such as silicone (Si) or ceramic,or can be formed through vacuum deposition.

The window 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure hassubstantially the same shape as the display panel 300. For example, whenthe display panel 300 has the planar portion 301 and the curved portions302 disposed along the edges of the planar portion 301, the window 500also has a planar portion and curved portions that respectivelycorrespond to the planar portion 301 and curved portions 302 of thedisplay panel 300.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a display device according to a presentexemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion B of FIG. 8.FIGS. 10a to 10c are enlarged views of portion C of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 isan enlarged plan view of a protrusion and a pressure sensing unitaccording to a present exemplary embodiment.

According to a present exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, aplurality of protrusions 122 are disposed on each of the curved portions302 of a display panel 300. The plurality of protrusions 122 come intocontact with a corresponding pressure sensing unit 200. However, theplurality of protrusions are not limited thereto, are the plurality ofprotrusions 122 need not come into contact with the pressure sensingunit 200.

According to a present exemplary embodiment, a single unit pressuresensor 230 corresponds to one of the protrusions 122. In other words,the single unit pressure sensor 230 overlaps the correspondingprotrusion 122.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensing units 200,the display panel 300, a touch sensing unit 400, and a window 500 havesubstantially the same curvature radius on the curved portions 302.Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an outer surface of at least part of theprotrusion portion 120 has substantially the same curvature radius as aninner surface of a corresponding pressure sensing units 200. Morespecifically, the surface of the protrusion portion 120 opposite to thepressure sensing unit 200 has substantially the same curvature radius asthe inner surface of the pressure sensing unit 200. For example, whenthe centers of the bottom surfaces 122 a of the plurality of protrusions122 protruding from a support 121 are defined as a first point P1, asecond point P2, and a third point P3, respectively, an imaginary curvedline connecting the first point P, the second point P2, and the thirdpoint P3 has substantially the same curvature radius as the innersurface of the pressure sensing unit 200.

Referring to FIG. 10A, according to a present exemplary embodiment, eachof the plurality of protrusions 122 has any one of a polygonal columnshape, a cylindrical column shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, or a coneshape. For example, each of the plurality of protrusions 122 has asquare column shape or a cylindrical column shape. In this case, the topsurface 122 b of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 has acurvature radius that is less than or substantially the same as thecurvature radius of the pressure sensing unit 200. More specifically,the top surface 122 b of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 has acurvature radius that is less than or substantially the same as acurvature radius of a corresponding unit pressure sensor 230.Accordingly, the plurality of protrusions 122 can be prevented fromdamaging the unit pressure sensors 230 in contact with the plurality ofprotrusions 122, which can facilitate the assembly process of thedisplay device. In addition, each of the plurality of protrusions 122may have a polygonal pyramid shape or a cone shape, as shown in FIG.10B, or may have a semicircular-sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 10C.However, the shape of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is notlimited thereto, and each of the plurality of protrusions 122 may haveany of various shapes that can sensitively measure pressure.

Referring to FIG. 11, according to an exemplary embodiment, each of theplurality of protrusions 122 has a rectangular planar shape. However,the shape of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is not limitedthereto, and each of the plurality of protrusions 122 may have any ofvarious planar shapes, such as a polygonal shape, a circular shape, anelliptical shape, etc.

According to a present exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality ofprotrusions 122 is smaller than or substantially the same size as acorresponding unit sensor 230. In other words, each of the plurality ofprotrusions 122 is smaller than or substantially the same size as aregion where a corresponding first electrode 211 and a correspondingsecond electrode 212 overlap each other. More specifically, the bottomsurface 122 a of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is smallerthan or substantially the same size as the region where thecorresponding first electrode 211 and the corresponding second electrode212 overlap each other. As shown in FIGS. 10a to 11, a length L of thebottom surface 122 a of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is lessthan or substantially equal to a length L2 of the region where thecorresponding first electrode 211 and the corresponding second electrode212 overlap each other (L1≤L2), and a width W1 of the bottom surface 122a of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is less than orsubstantially equal to a width W2 of the region where the correspondingfirst electrode 211 and the corresponding second electrode 212 overlapeach other (W1≤W2). Accordingly, the area of the bottom surface 122 a ofeach of the plurality of protrusions 122 is less than or substantiallyequal to the area of the region where the corresponding first electrode211 and the corresponding second electrode 212 overlap each other. Forexample, any one of the length L1 and width W1 of the bottom surface 122a of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is less than or equal to2.5 mm, and any one of the length L2 and width W2 of the area of theoverlap region of the corresponding first electrode 211 and of thecorresponding second electrode 212 is equal to or greater than 2.5 mm.

Accordingly, a display device according to a present exemplaryembodiment can accurately and sensitively detect pressure applied to thedisplay device because pressure is concentrated on each of theprotrusions 122, which have a smaller area than a corresponding unitpressure sensor 230.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and13. Descriptions of a display device according to a present exemplaryembodiment that are the same as descriptions of the display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 will be omittedbelow.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of protrusions and a pressuresensing unit according to a present exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 13 isan enlarged plan view of protrusions and a pressure sensing unitaccording to a present exemplary embodiment.

According to a present exemplary embodiment, each unit pressure sensor230 corresponds to two or more protrusions 122, as shown in FIGS. 12 and13. In other words, the single unit pressure sensor 230 overlaps the twoor more protrusions 122.

According to a present exemplary embodiment, each of a plurality ofprotrusions 122 are smaller than a corresponding unit sensor 230. Inother words, each of the plurality of protrusions 122 are smaller than aregion where a corresponding first electrode 211 and a correspondingsecond electrode 212 overlap each other. More specifically, the bottomsurface 122 a of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is smallerthan a region where a corresponding first electrode 211 and acorresponding second electrode 212 overlap each other. The length L1 ofthe bottom surface 122 a of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 isless than the length L2 of the region where the corresponding firstelectrode 211 and the corresponding second electrode 212 overlap eachother (L1<L2), and the width W1 of the bottom surface 122 a of each ofthe plurality of protrusions 122 is less than the width W2 of the regionwhere the corresponding first electrode 211 and the corresponding secondelectrode 212 overlap each other (W1<W2). Accordingly, the area of thebottom surface 122 a of each of the plurality of protrusions 122 is lessthan the area of the region where the corresponding first electrode 211and the corresponding second electrode 212 overlap each other.

Accordingly, a display device according to a present exemplaryembodiment can accurately and sensitively detect pressure applied to thedisplay device because pressure is concentrated on each of theprotrusions 122, which has a smaller area than a corresponding unitpressure sensor 230.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.Descriptions of a display device according to a present exemplaryembodiment that are the same as descriptions of display devicesaccording to exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 will be omitted below.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toa present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 15 is a plan view of a frameaccording to a present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 16 is an enlargedsectional view of protrusions and a pressure sensing unit according to apresent exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, according to an exemplary embodiment, aplurality of protrusions 122 have bar shapes that extend in a seconddirection D2. As shown in FIG. 16, each of the plurality of protrusions122 overlaps a corresponding first electrode 211 that extends in thesecond direction D2, and each of the plurality of protrusions 122 have awidth W1 that is less than or substantially equal to a width W2 of thecorresponding first electrode 211 (W2≥W1).

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.Descriptions of a display device according to a present exemplaryembodiment that are the same as descriptions of display devicesaccording to exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-16 will be omitted below.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toa present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 18 is a plan view of a frameaccording to a present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 19 is an enlargedsectional view of protrusions and a pressure sensing unit according to apresent exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, according to an exemplary embodiment, aplurality of protrusions 122 have bar shapes that extend in a firstdirection D1. As shown in FIG. 19, each of the plurality of protrusions122 overlaps a corresponding second electrode 212 that extends in thefirst direction D1, and each of the plurality of protrusions 122 has awidth L that is less than or substantially equal to a width L2 of acorresponding second electrodes 212 (L2≥L1).

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 20.Descriptions of a display device according to a present exemplaryembodiment that are the same as descriptions of the display devicesaccording to exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-19 will be omitted below.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a display device according to a presentexemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, according to an exemplary embodiment, a displaypanel 300 is disposed on the protrusion portion 120 of a frame 100, andthe protrusion portion 120 of the frame 100 overlaps both the planarportion 301 and the curved portions 302 of the display panel 300.However, the overlap of the protrusion portion 120 with the frame 100 isnot limited thereto. In other words, the display panel 300 may be a flatdisplay panel. Accordingly, the protrusion portion 120 of the frame 100overlaps the overall surface of the display panel 300. Morespecifically, the protrusion portion 120 of the frame 100 overlaps boththe planar portion 301 and the curved portions 302 of the display panel300. In this case, the top surface of the protrusion portion 120 hassubstantially the same shape as the display panel 300. For example, thetop surface of at least one of the protrusion portions 120 hassubstantially the same curvature radius as a corresponding curvedportion 302 of the display panel 300, and the central portion of theprotrusion portion 120 has a flat shape that corresponds with the planarportion 301 of the display panel 300.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a pressure sensing unit 200 isdisposed on the protrusion portion 120 of the frame 100 and the displaypanel 300, and the pressure sensing unit 200 is disposed on both theplanar portion 301 and the curved portions 302 of the display panel 300.However, the disposition of the pressure sensing unit 200 is not limitedthereto. For example, the display panel 300 may be a flat display panel.Accordingly, the pressure sensing unit 200 overlaps the overall surfaceof the flat display panel.

According to a present exemplary embodiment, pressure can be moreaccurately and sensitively detected on an overall surface of the displaypanel 300.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will beappreciated by those having ordinary knowledge in the art to whichembodiments of the present disclosure pertains that embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be practiced in different forms without departingfrom the technical spirit or essential features of embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that theabove-described exemplary embodiments are illustrative but not limitingin all aspects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a frame thatincludes a protrusion; a display panel on the frame; a pressure sensingunit between the frame and an edge portion of the display panel, thepressure sensing unit including a first electrode and a secondelectrode, wherein the first electrode extends in a first direction, thesecond electrode extends in a second direction that intersects the firstdirection, and the second electrode crosses the first electrode; and apressure sensing drive unit connected to the first electrode and thesecond electrode, wherein the protrusion overlaps the first electrodeand the second electrode, and wherein at least a portion of theprotrusion protrudes toward a portion where the first electrode crossesthe second electrode.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein theprotrusion has an area less than or substantially equal to that of aregion where the first and second electrodes overlap each other.
 3. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the protrusion has acurvature radius less than or substantially equal to that of thepressure sensing unit.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein: theframe includes a base, a support disposed on the base, and a spacer thatprotrudes from the support at one end of the support; and the protrusionprotrudes from the support and has a height less than a height of thespacer.
 5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the edge portion ofthe display panel includes a curved portion, and a top surface of thesupport has a curvature substantially identical to that of the curvedportion of the display panel.
 6. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe protrusion extends in the first direction, and the protrusion has awidth less than or substantially equal to a width of the firstelectrode.
 7. The display device of claim 1, wherein each of theprotrusion extends in a second direction, and the protrusion has a widthless than or substantially equal to a width of the second electrode. 8.The display device of claim 1, further comprising a variable resistormember between the first electrode and the second electrode.
 9. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a plurality ofprotrusions including the protrusion, and a region where the first andsecond electrodes overlap each other overlaps at least two of theplurality of protrusions.
 10. The display device of claim 1, wherein theprotrusion has one of a semicircular-sectional shape, a polygonal columnshape, a cylindrical column shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, or a coneshape.
 11. The display device of claim 1, wherein: the display panelincludes a pixel; and a region where the first and second electrodesoverlap each other has an area greater than that of the pixel.
 12. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is spaced apartfrom the second electrode.
 13. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe first electrode does not contact with the second electrode.
 14. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the protrusion contacts with one ofthe first and second electrodes.
 15. The display device of claim 1,wherein the frame includes a plurality of protrusions including theprotrusion, and the plurality of protrusions are arranged in a matrix.16. The display device of claim 1, wherein the protrusion overlaps aregion where the first electrode and the second electrode overlaps eachother.
 17. A display device comprising: a frame that includes a base, asupport disposed on the base, and a plurality of protrusions thatprotrude from the support; a display panel disposed on the frame andthat includes a planar portion and a edge portion disposed along atleast one end of the planar portion; and a pressure sensing unitdisposed between the frame and the display panel, the pressure sensingunit including a first electrode and a second electrode wherein thefirst electrode extends in a first direction, the second electrodeextends in a second direction that intersects the first direction, andthe second electrode crosses the first electrode, and wherein theprotrusion overlaps the first electrode and the second electrode, andwherein at least a portion of the protrusion protrudes toward a portionwhere the first electrode crosses the second electrode.
 18. The displaydevice of claim 17, further comprising: a pressure sensing drive unitconnected to the first electrode and the second electrode.
 19. Thedisplay device of claim 17, wherein a top surface of the support has ashape substantially identical to that of the display panel.
 20. Thedisplay device of claim 17, wherein the base comes into contact with atleast one side surface of the display panel and the pressure sensingunit.
 21. The display device of claim 17, wherein the support overlapsboth the planar portion and the edge portion.
 22. The display device ofclaim 17, further comprising a window on the display panel.
 23. Thedisplay device of claim 17, further comprising a touch sensing unitbetween the window and the display panel.
 24. The display device ofclaim 16, wherein the protrusion overlaps a region where the firstelectrode and the second electrode overlaps each other.
 25. A displaydevice, comprising: a frame that includes a protrusion; a display panelon the frame; a pressure sensing unit between the frame and an edgeportion of the display panel, the pressure sensing unit including afirst electrode, a second electrode and a variable resistor memberbetween the first and second electrodes; and a pressure sensing driveunit connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, whereinthe pressure sensing unit includes a unit pressure sensor, wherein theunit pressure sensor is connected to the first electrode, the secondelectrode, and the variable resistor member, and wherein the protrusionoverlaps the unit pressure sensor.
 26. The display device of claim 25,wherein the protrusion has an area less than or substantially equal toan area of the unit pressure sensor.
 27. The display device of claim 25,wherein the frame includes a plurality of protrusions including theprotrusion, and the unit pressure sensor overlaps at least two of theplurality of protrusions.
 28. The display device of claim 25, whereinthe pressure sensing unit is curved, and a top surface of the protrusionhas a curvature radius less than or substantially equal to a curvatureradius of the pressure sensing unit.